A recent survey conducted by HOK, a design firm, and Tarkett, a flooring manufacturer, asked neurodiverse individuals in the U.S., UK and Canada to share how their work environments could better cater to their personal needs and job functions. Genius Within, an organization dedicated to helping neuro-minorities maximize their potential, provided advisory services as the team built on in-depth research and insights. HOK and Tarkett’s survey collected feedback from 202 neurodiverse individuals, with a focus on women and workers older than 30, two groups that have been largely underrepresented in other studies on neurodiversity.
The survey found several challenges these individuals face when it comes to workplaces. A few of those include:
- 77% of respondents reported being hypersensitive to noise and sound in the workplace.
- 62% of respondents were hypersensitive to visual distractions (movement, color, light) in the office.
- Women reported greater overall sensory sensitivity challenges in the workplace compared to men, particularly when it came to temperature and light (62% and 59% compared to 46% and 44%, respectively).
Survey insights can help workplace designers and product manufacturers create spaces that are more supportive and inclusive for neurodiverse employees.
